Processes & Methods

DATA INTEGRATION & ANALYSIS

WaterMAPS™ integrates water meter data with property records, weather data, and landscape
classifications into one database, then calculates and geographically displays landscape irrigation ratios(Figure 1). Options embedded in its analytic framework allow the user to make various assumptions (e.g., to account for irrigation system inefficiencies,
to include parking strips outside property boundaries) and to use different time frames (e.g., a billing period, an irrigation season) in calculating
site-specific Landscape Irrigation Ratios (LIRs).

LIRs identify “capacity to conserve” water applied to urban parcels of land. The ratios
are produced through dividing the amount of water actually used on a particular landscape
by the estimated amount of water that landscape needs to be healthy. Through standardizing the calculations per unit of landscaped area, the LIRs eliminate differences in water use due to parcel size, thereby enabling parcels to be compared to one another (Figure 2). Landscape water use is estimated from analysis of municipal or water provider meter
or billing data that subtracts indoor water use. Landscape water need is estimated
from the classification of remotely-sensed airborne multispectral imagery and localized
reference evapotranspiration (ETo) rates modified to account for the varying water needs of the different types of
landscape plant material at each location. LIRs can be categorized and labeled (e.g.,
as efficient, acceptable, inefficient, or excessive) to provide an indication of the
appropriateness of landscape water use to meet landscape water need (Figure 2).

WaterMAPS™ enables the spatial display of results and facilitates additional analyses
for an entire service area.

ASSESS: Urban Landscape Water Assessment Tool

WaterMAPS™ identifies locations with "capacity to conserve" water applied to urban
landscapes through producing site-specific Landscape Irrigation Ratios (LIRs) that
compare landscape water use to landscape water need.

WaterMAPS™ calculates and displays site-specific (parcel-level) LIRs for an entire
service area. Thus, it is a diagnostic tool for identifying locations with “capacity
to conserve” water applied to urban landscapes so that water managers know where to
direct their conservation efforts. The user can select parameters to create more strict
or more generous LIR calculations that define the magnitude of a location’s “capacity
to conserve.” The tool analyzes water use trends over time so that water managers
also can identify when to deliver conservation programs.

DELIVER: Water User Information Delivery Tool

WaterMAPS™ produces water use reports for individual locations that summarize and
interpret the appropriateness of their landscape water use.

understand their landscape's water need in relation to current and historic weather
data

monitor their water use and progress toward conservation goals

make landscaping decisions and plans

WaterMAPS™ produces water use reports for individual property locations that interpret
landscape water consumption in ways that help water users understand and monitor their
own use (see Figure 3 for an example). The reports contain the volume of landscape water used, an estimate of landscape
water need, and an LIR for a reporting period. The reports also provide a monitor
that graphs residents’ water use for current and previous periods and projects a landscape
water need for future months based on historical, localized average evapotranspiration. Weather
data that compare the current period to the historical average for that period is
provided as well. These water use reports can be distributed by utilities to water
users.

TRACK: Water Management Tracking Tool

WaterMAPS™ enables water managers to track and analyze changes in landscape water
use over time and in relation to weather patterns.

encourage water users' long-term habit change through consistent and repeated messaging
and through conservation program delivery where and when it is needed

prepare for droughts and growing scarcity by fine-tuning water users' ability to water
their landscapes appropriately

WaterMAPS™ enables water managers to track and analyze changes in landscape water
use over time and in relation to weather patterns. This tracking function assists
water managers to design policies and programs that promote water use efficiency and
to assess conservation outcomes and program effectiveness. It also helps them to understand
how landscape watering affects their water supplies so they can better prepare for
droughts and water scarcity.